U.S. Legislators Push Forward on Yavapai-Apache Water Rights Settlement
Efforts to finally resolve a long-standing water rights issue for the Yavapai-Apache Nation have gained momentum in both chambers of the U.S. Congress. Twin bills introduced in the House of Representatives and the Senate aim to finalize a settlement that would secure vital water resources for the tribe.
The proposed legislation would allocate over $1 billion for a pipeline project connecting the C.C. Cragin Reservoir on the Mogollon Rim with communities in Verde Valley. This initiative includes the construction of a water treatment plant, ensuring 4,600 acre-feet of water annually for the Yavapai-Apache Nation. This would significantly improve water reliability for the tribe’s 2,500 members across five communities.
Yavapai-Apache Nation Chairman, Buddy Rocha, Jr., remarked, “In addition to finally resolving the nation’s water rights, this historic legislation will provide for the development of water infrastructure to import new water sources to the Verde Valley and our reservation homeland, safeguarding the nation’s water future, while also helping to protect the Verde River and local groundwater supplies for everyone who relies on these critical resources.”
Beyond securing water rights, the bills would help reduce the tribe’s dependency on groundwater, thereby supporting the flow of the Verde River. Proponents highlight the legislation’s potential to bolster water security across the Verde Valley.
Republican Representative Eli Crane, the bill’s sponsor, stated, “I’m honored to introduce this legislation to help secure long-term water security for the Yavapai-Apache Nation, develop critical infrastructure, and finally move toward a permanent solution. After visiting and meeting with tribal leaders and surrounding communities, it was clear how much certainty and stability this bill would provide. I’m proud to fight for rural Arizona.”
Governor Katie Hobbs has already approved a settlement agreement that grants water rights to the tribe while offering additional protections to the Verde River.
The settlement also includes provisions for the Yavapai-Apache Nation to utilize Central Arizona Project (CAP) water, establishing a permanent CAP delivery contract and allowing the tribe to manage CAP water within Arizona through storage, leasing, or exchange.
In the Senate, Democratic Senators Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly have introduced corresponding legislation. Gallego emphasized, “Few things in Arizona are more precious than water. Arizona’s tribal communities understand that better than most. That’s why I’m proud to help introduce this bill to finally codify the Yavapai-Apache Nation’s water rights and invest in infrastructure to bring clean, reliable water to the nation and surrounding communities, now and in the future.”
The settlement aims to resolve decades of disputes over water rights involving the tribe, the state of Arizona, the Salt River Project, the U.S. Department of the Interior, and local communities. Senator Kelly added, “Families and businesses in the Verde Valley and surrounding communities need a reliable water supply, and the Yavapai-Apache Nation deserves a fair, lasting resolution to its water rights. This agreement honors tribal sovereignty, invests in critical water infrastructure, and helps safeguard the Verde River. It’s a big step forward for the nation and for every community that depends on this river, and we’ll work together to get it done.”
In related developments, the Camp Verde Town Council is anticipated to deliberate on approving the water rights settlement with the Yavapai-Apache Nation in the upcoming month.
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